कोकण रेल्वे - Konkan Railway Information

कोकण रेल्वे हा मुंबई व मंगळूर ह्या महत्त्वाच्या बंदरांना जोडणारा भारतीय रेल्वेचा एक मार्ग आहे. भारताच्या पश्चिम किनारपट्टीवर अरबी समुद्राच्याकिनाऱ्यावर वसलेल्या कोकण ह्या भौगोलिक प्रदेशामधून धावणारा कोकण रेल्वे मार्ग महाराष्ट्राच्या रायगड जिल्ह्यामधील रोहा येथे सुरू होतो व कर्नाटकातील तोकुर येथे संपतो. २६ जानेवारी १९९८ रोजी खुल्या करण्यात आलेल्या कोकण रेल्वेची लांबी ७४१ किमी आहे.

इतिहास : 

मुंबई व मंगळूर ह्या दोन बंदरांदरम्यान थेट मार्ग नसल्यामुळे रेल्वे वाहतूक लांबच्या मार्गाने (पुणे-सोलापूर-बंगळूर) चालू होती. तसेच उंचसखल भूभाग, अनेक नद्या, अतिवृष्टी इत्यादी कारणांमुळे कोकणामध्ये रेल्वे चालू करण्यात अनेक अडथळे येत होते. रेल्वे वाहतूक उपलब्ध नसल्यामुळे कोकणाचा विकास खुंटण्याची भिती व्यक्त करण्यात येत होती. मधू दंडवते, जॉर्ज फर्नान्डिस इत्यादी कोकणी नेत्यांनी केंद्रीय पातळीवर कोकण रेल्वे बांधण्याची मागणी चालू ठेवली. १९६६ साली दिवा-पनवेल मार्ग बांधला गेला व १९८६ मध्ये तो रोहापर्यंत वाढवला गेला. १९९० साली तत्कालीन रेल्वेमंत्री जॉर्ज फर्नान्डिसांच्या नेतृत्वाखाली नवी मुंबईमधील सी.बी.डी. बेलापूर येथे मुख्यालय असलेल्या कोकण रेल्वे कॉर्पोरेशन ह्या कंपनीची स्थापना करण्यात आली. ई. श्रीधरन हे कोकण रेल्वे कॉर्पोरेशनचे पहिले चेअरमन होते. १५ सप्टेंबर १९९० रोजी रोहा येथे कोकण रेल्वेचा पायाभरणी समारंभ पार पडला.

७४० किमी लांबीचा हा मार्ग महाड, रत्नागिरी उत्तर, रत्नागिरी दक्षिण, कुडाळ, पणजी, कारवार व उडुपी ह्या प्रत्येकी १०० किमी लांबीच्या ७ भागांमध्ये विभागण्यात आला व प्रत्येक विभागाचे काम स्वतंत्रपणे सुरू करण्यात आले. परदेशांमधून अद्ययावत बांधकाम तंत्रे वापरणारी यंत्रे बांधकामासाठी मागवली गेली. लार्सन अँड टूब्रो, गॅमन इंडिया ह्या भारतामधील मोठ्या बांधकाम कंपन्यांना बांधकामाची कंत्राटे दिली गेली. भूसंपादनामधील अडथळे, अनेक कोर्ट खटले, दुर्गम भूरचना, पावसाळ्यात येणारे पूर व कोसळणाऱ्या दरडी इत्यादी बाबींमुळे कोकण रेल्वेच्या बांधकामाचे वेळापत्रक रखडले. कोकण रेल्वेमार्गावरील पहिली रेल्वे २० मार्च १९९३ रोजी मंगळूर ते उडुपी दरम्यान धावली. रोहा-वीर-खेड-सावंतवाडी ह्या मार्गाचे काम डिसेंबर १९९६ मध्ये पूर्ण झाले. उत्तर गोव्यामधील पेडणे येथील एका बोगद्याचे काम पूर्ण होण्यास एकूण ६ वर्षांचा कालावधी लागला. अखेर २६ जानेवारी १९९८ रोजी कोकण रेल्वेचे उद्घाटन करण्यात आले.

मार्ग : 

• एकूण लांबी: ७४० किमी (४६० मैल)
• स्थानके: ५९
• वळणे: ३२०
• मोठे पूल: १७९
• सर्वाधिक लांबीचा पूल: २,०६५.८ मी (६,७७८ फूट) (होन्नावर येथे शरावती नदीवर)

पाताळी धबधबा, निवळी, संगमेश्वर | Patali Waterfalls, Nivali, Sangameshwar-Ratnagiri

Nr 20km From Sangameshwar Railway Station

Trekking from Forest

निसर्गरम्य वजर धबधबा, निवळी, संगमेश्वर | Vajar Waterfall, Nivali, Sangameshwar | Konkan Waterfalls

Vajar Waterfall, around 20km from Sangameshwar Railway Station.
Located in Nivali Village

Dudhsagar Falls (Sea of Milk) दूधसागर धबधबा ,Goa| India's Tallest Scenic Waterfalls (310meter)

Dudhsagar Waterfalls Overview

For a destination which is known for, identified and dotted by countless beaches, Dudhsagar falls are a pleasant exception. Initiating from the mighty peaks of the western Ghats, one of the five highest waterfalls of the country and amongst the highest 100 in the world, the falls are divided into four tiers in the Mondovi river. This waterfall when looked at from a distance, appears like a heavy stream of milk flowing effortlessly with much pressure from top to down the hill, finally splitting into three streams of water, heading steadily to their ultimate destination, into the deep green sea.

The sight of one of India's tallest waterfall, the clitter clatter noise of the water hitting the rocks, the splash of water, the cold breeze, there is beauty in its force and serenity in its composure. Everything together makes up for a rejuvenating day and a refreshing sight.

Best time to visit Dudhsagar Waterfalls

During monsoon or soon after monsoon is the best period to visit the falls, as they are in their most rebellious phase of flow, in full verve and this is the time you could make the best of witnessing this mad child of nature.

How to Reach Dudhsagar Waterfalls

• Air: Panaji airport is the nearest airport to Dudhsagar, it is 60kms away from the waterfalls. Taxies and buses are available for commutation.
• Rail: Though there is a station called the Dudhsagar, no trains formally halt here. They stop for a minute to check with their technicalities, breaks etc as what follows is a high slope. The nearest station is Collem, taxies are available from there to the waterfalls which is at a distance of hardly 6kms. The train journey is most preferred due to the marvelous sight it offers to its passengers.
• Road: The NH4A highway leads to Dudhsagar. There are buses run by Goa tourism, Dudhsagar makes a prominent stop in the ternary. Other than this, private tour operators also run buses following specific or demanded itinerary covering fixed spots, of which Dudhsagar is one. Jeeps can be driven through the base of the water falls but only in the months from January to May as the water is low then.

Where to Stay

The are resorts and guest houses available near Collem on the NH4A highway, it is however suggested that a tourist makes advance bookings, as one might have to search and negotiate prices depending on your budget. Other than this, there are also Private cottages available that are rented out to tourists, the plus of staying in these cottages is that you get to live in extreme proximity with nature and there are high chances to spot species of flora and fauna hardly seen or known otherwise.

Sightseeing in Dudhsagar Waterfalls

Must visit the Devil's canyon, Tambdi Surla Temple, Bondla wildlife sanctuary. If genuinely interested in plants, visiting the Dudhsagar plantation and farms and getting briefed about the crops, cropping pattern, walking around and spotting several new species could be an enriching experience.

Activities in Dudhsagar Waterfalls

Trekking, swimming, rock climbing and elephant rides can be enjoyed here.

Dudhsagar Waterfalls's Cuisine

A few small restaurants and eateries can be spotted on the NH4A highway. When here, do try Goan food. The Chinese food offered here is also definitely worth a try.

Itinerary

Dudhsagar is best seen on a trip to Goa, interspersed between your time at the town's beaches. If you manage to keep an entire day for the area, do visit the Devil's canyon, Tambdi Surla Temple and Bondla wildlife sanctuary. Do try and take the train, as the journey, as the train passes by the falls, is one of the most enjoyable experiences here.

Did you know?

Dudhsagar waterfalls are one among the top five highest waterfalls in India and top 100 waterfalls in the world.

Tips

1. Although few hours at the waterfalls would be enough, it is suggested that you spare a day and travel by train. As that journey is worth your time. When near the falls, take care of your safety. 2. Carry mosquito repellants if visiting during monsoon. 3. Do not dive into water in the Devil's canyon, it is said to be a baseless pit with underwater current which might swirl you in in to time.

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